Individuals who would like to maintain some flexibility within their lives can engage in an outpatient rehab when they need treatment for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab enables the rehabilitation client to take part in rehab services without the commitment one would normally have to agree to within an inpatient or residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation center. This doesn't always work in the treatment client's favor however, particularly for those individuals who need to resolve significant substance abuse problems. So although an outpatient rehab may seem like an opportune possibility, it isn't for everyone. People that decide on an outpatient rehab will generally take part in meetings and take part in counseling and treatment services part-time every day or several days a week. This is helpful for those who have recently completed a far more complete inpatient or residential program as an effective aftercare or maintenance step, or for someone with only a short history of drug use which is really a really small number of clients. For an individual with more serious addiction and dependency issues, inpatient or residential drug rehabilitation programs that provide rehab over a long-term basis will probably be the more effective rehabilitation option.